France Football unveiled the 2025 Johan Cruyff Trophy nominees for the Menβs Team Coach of the Year, spotlighting five tactical masterminds: Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain), Antonio Conte (Napoli), Hansi Flick (Barcelona), Enzo Maresca (Chelsea), and Arne Slot (Liverpool), according to an official announcement on the Ballon dβOr website.
These coaches, recognised for their exceptional performances from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025, have transformed their teams, with Enriqueβs PSG securing a historic Champions League title and Flick leading Barcelona to a domestic treble.
The winner will be honoured at the Ballon dβOr ceremony on October 27, 2025, at the ThéÒtre du ChΓ’telet in Paris, where an international jury of 100 specialised journalists will vote based on individual and team achievements, class, and fair play.
The 2025 Johan Cruyff Trophy nominees reflect a blend of tactical innovation and silverware success across Europeβs top leagues. Luis Enrique, the frontrunner, guided PSG to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title in May 2025, completing a historic treble with Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, as reported by The Playoffs.
His fluid, attacking style revitalised PSG, with standout performances from Ousmane DembΓ©lΓ© and JoΓ£o Neves. Hansi Flick, in his debut season at Barcelona, delivered a domestic treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de EspaΓ±a, reaching the Champions League semifinals before falling to Inter Milan, per Sporting News.
Flickβs high-pressing system rejuvenated Barcelonaβs identity, earning him widespread praise on X, where he was ranked second among top coaches.
Antonio Conteβs return to Napoli sparked a Serie A title win, with Scott McTominayβs leadership pivotal in ending a 33-year drought, as noted by WIONews. Conteβs disciplined 3-5-2 formation maximised Napoliβs attacking output, though his absence from the 2024 shortlist, won by Carlo Ancelotti, makes his 2025 nomination a redemption arc.
Enzo Maresca, mentored by Pep Guardiola, secured Chelseaβs UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup titles in his first year.
His possession-based approach transformed Chelsea into a cohesive unit, with Cole Palmer thriving as a key playmaker. Arne Slot, Liverpoolβs new tactician, clinched the Premier League title, leveraging Mohamed Salahβs brilliance to end a long wait for the trophy, as highlighted by Sportstar. Slotβs nomination reflects his seamless transition from Feyenoord, where he won the Eredivisie in 2023.
The Johan Cruyff Trophy, introduced in 2023 and named after the legendary Dutch coach, honours strategic brilliance at the club or international level. Last year, Ancelotti won the La Liga and Champions League double.
The 2025 shortlist, announced on August 7 via LβΓquipeβs website, excludes notable names like Simone Inzaghi, whose Inter Milan reached the Champions League final, a snub criticised by French Football Weekly.
The voting process, unchanged per France Football, involves journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations assigning points to their top picks, ensuring a merit-based outcome.
X posts, such as praise for Ligue 1 coaches like Enrique, underscore the competitive field, though Enriqueβs treble makes him the favourite.
The absence of French coaches like Didier Deschamps, who led France to the Euro 2024 semifinals, highlights a decline in French managerial presence in elite football.
Only eight of Ligue 1βs 18 clubs have French coaches, with stars like Thierry Henry opting for foreign coaching licenses due to cost and accessibility.
This trend contrasts with Spain and Italy, where native coaches dominate, suggesting a need for France to bolster its coaching networks.
The 2025 nominees, all from top European leagues, showcase diverse philosophies, from Enriqueβs attacking flair to Conteβs defensive solidity, setting the stage for a fierce contest.
The Ballon dβOr ceremony, expanded in collaboration with UEFA, will also award the Menβs and Womenβs Ballon dβOr, Yashin Trophy for goalkeepers, and Kopa Trophy for young players.
With neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo nominated for the Menβs Player award, the focus shifts to coaches and emerging talents like Lamine Yamal.
The 2025 event, streamed live on LβΓquipeβs platforms, promises to celebrate footballβs evolving landscape, with the Johan Cruyff Trophy highlighting the pivotal role of coaching excellence.
